The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

Well I messaged the carpet cleaner at 5pm since we had been waiting since lunchtime.  Eventually they replied and said they made an error and had booked me in tomorrow.  We will see.  They could arrive at the same time as my uncle but I guess at least it will be cleaned.

Went to a local church for a candle light carol service this evening as DD2 was playing with the band.  It was a lovely service with a lot of singing carols with a little bit of talking.  The church was full and when the lights were dimmed it was such a wonderful atmosphere.  Apparently we have been booked again for next year.

Living room has been cleaned but still a lot more to do as yet.  I still need to nip to Wickes and buy paint (uncle is wanting to help paint woodwork), drop presents off at friends, tip to trip as well as cleaning the rest of the house.  Not sure I can get in my bed currently.  I also need to remember to put the stew in the slow cooker in the morning.

Right off to load the dishwasher and perhaps clean some more surfaces.

slm6002

Well the carpet cleaners came and did their thing earlier.  Not sure if I am impressed yet or not.  Expected it to smell fresh from the cleaning product used, but so far there is no smell.  Not convinced it wasn't just water used. It is also still quite damp which I didn't realise until after they had gone.  I also wasn't impressed with being asked to give them a rating while being stood over.  They didn't leave until I did and as I don't like that sort of situation so I felt I had to do it there and then.  I am going to look into getting myself a cleaner as I do think it will need doing again and don't fancy them turning up (eventually) again.

Well the house is tidy apart from my room.  This is where everything without a home has been put.  I am hoping to be able to go to bed tonight but who knows at the moment.  I will work on my room shortly. My uncle was supposed to be here by now, but has obviously got side tracked along the way.  At least we are ready for him now.

Beef and ale stew is in the slowcooker and smelling good so far.  Potatoes pealed ready too.

slm6002

The boiler has stopped working.  I heated the water earlier but now I cant get the pilot light to ignite.  No heating or water.  I have contacted the boiler man but am thinking we will be wrapping up warm and sitting under blankets this year for Christmas.  I guess he did say that it might happen at some point.  I also guess that is why I have a small emergency fund.  Probably not enough to cover the whole amount but at least some towards it.

Anyway we've had a lovely warm meal and then opened the Christmas chocolates.  A few board games and now watching a Christmas film under our warm duvets. I am off to my bedroom soon to uncover my bed from the mountain of items that need putting away.

Moneywhizz

Oh dear that is not so good. I hope you manage to get something done about it tomorrow but it is definitely the wrong time of the year to get things fixed. You remain so positive no matter what gets thrown at you. 

slm6002

Thank you @Moneywhizz, I guess I have no choice to stay positive, but not always easy to find the silver lining.  Sometimes we have to look really really hard to find it lol.  It is always there somewhere though.  There was enough hot water for a shower for those of us that were the most stinky.  I came back downstairs to try the boiler again and the hot water button fired up the water but still no luck with the heating.  There is always a chance the button will make the heating and not the water warm like it has been doing.  It is all a bit hit and miss at the moment.  If it suddenly kicks into gear I will still be asking for a quote or 2 and replacing it in the new year I think.

The cat has just peed on the nice clean carpet again.  Cleaning it obviously didn't help - they have a lovely clean litter tray nearby and had just come back in.  I am going to get a uv torch light to see where exactly it is and spot clean it as I can smell roughly where it is but not exactly. I thought I had one somewhere and have 1 more place to look, before ordering one.

Not much planned for tomorrow other than preparing for Christmas dinner.  We have a friend popping round to collect / drop off gifts, and a trip to the cinema to watch a film later on.  Then an early night and wait for Santa to arrive.

slm6002

Just got home from watching moana 2 with DD2 and my uncle.  The cinema was almost empty, but we still managed to reserve tickets behind XH sister and nieces.  Too late to change seats as I really didn't recognise them until DD2 mentioned it.  Oh well I am sure my ears will be burning later lol.  Will give them something to talk about over Christmas dinner.

Sprouts, potatoes, carrots and parsnips peeled, ham currently in the oven and the trifle is in the fridge.  Not sure where the ham will go once cooked but will figure it out.  Turkey is out defrosting ready for tomorrow.  It doesn't feel like Christmas eve as yet, but maybe because the children are that bit older now.  Will sit down and watch a Christmas movie shortly.

Jessy103

Merry Christmas @slm6002 🎄 All the best to you and the family x

slm6002

Thank you @Jessy103. Merry Christmas to you and anyone else who has popped by.  

Stockings and presents unwrapped, everyone is happy.  Dad popped over with a rude wife but we ignored and carried on as not worth it on Christmas day.  I have a lot of edibles as well as some smellies and jumper, puzzle book and craft things.  Also a little money too. They will keep me going for a little while.

The dinner is almost ready and looking good.  Hopefully it will taste just as nice.  

Four_Seasons

Merry Christmas have a lovely day xx

slm6002

Thank you @Four_Seasons I hope you had a lovely day too.

Well that is that for another year.  My uncle is here for a little longer, although will be with my brother and his family for most of today so we will have a day to ourselves.  Simple food tonight (jacket potatoes) and leftovers for lunch.  Already had some bubble and squeak for breakfast with the left over veg.  We will finish the trifle off and then there will be space in the fridge.

Everyone was happy with the cheese board even though it had been scaled down a lot.  Only cheeses that we knew we liked, plus our favourite biscuits rather than a big selection.  Everyone really enjoyed it.

The boiler seems to have heated water yesterday but there is still no heating, unless the water button has a blip and makes the radiators heat up instead.  The heating button doesn't do anything.  No contact from the boiler man as yet, which is fine as he deserves a holiday too.  I am sure he will get in touch soon and help me sort it out.

Need to do some money shuffling while DS and Uncle are busy playing Risk, and the girls are busying themselves in their rooms with the new things from Christmas.  Will also try to do some surveys, but it will be a lazy day, just with a few bits dotted around like a load of washing maybe.